Saturday 24 December, 2011- Christmas Eve, Year B

By Admin, on December 12th, 2011

Here are the resources you need for Christmas Eve. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

Sermons: Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon.
Based on first reading: edited for lay reading sermon; Pr Stephen Pietsch
Based on gospel: edited for lay reading sermon – luke 2 8-20 – year b – christmas eve; Pr Vince Gerhardy

O God, since you have made this most holy night shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that as we have known on earth the mysteries of that Light, we may also come to the fullness of his joys in heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OR, alternative

(Let us pray for full life through Christ. [silence])

Loving Father, you sent your only Son into the world so that we might have life through him. May we who celebrate his birth on this most holy night come at last to full life in your heavenly kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OR, new (based on traditional)

(Let us pray for true Christmas joy. [silence])

Lord God, we thank you for making this holy night shine with the true light of your Son. As we celebrate his birth as a human child, fill us with the joy of heaven. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Advent wreath:
Suggested prayers and responses following the lighting of the fifth (central) candle:
(The reader or children could read the part in normal print, and the congregation respond with the bold print).
The Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory.
The true light, who enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
OR
Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world, God from God, and light from light. Thank you for coming to be with us. Help us to shine with your light.
Amen.

Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading: Isaiah 9:2-7
LHS 21 Of the Father’s love begotten G7
30 The people that in darkness sat
33 Hark! the herald angels sing G4
740 For unto us a child is born GS
AT
33 For unto us a child is born
37 Unto us a child is born
55 His name is Wonderful
141 Mary’s child
313 Christ, be our light
315 Drawn to the light
389 Light of the nationsTIS
274 The people that in darkness walked
290 Of the Father’s love begotten
293 Unto us a boy is born
303 Hark! the herald angels sing
308 To us a child of royal birth
320 Never in all human story
323 Born in the night, Mary’s child